Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are one of the hottest team in the playoffs this season. Many counted out the Heat after they barely made it to the playoffs as an 8 seed. However, fortune favors the brave, and that is exactly what they’ve done. It was a shock to see Miami beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first-round of the playoffs. The Bucks were heavy favorites to win the title this time around, however, the Heat stood firmly in their way.
In the playoffs, the Heat have not been dorced to play more than 6 games. They defeated the bucks in 5 games, with a score of 4-1, an utter humiliation for the Bucks. The Knicks were up next for them, who saw them off in 6 games, with a score of 4-2 in the series. Now they are 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. There is one man who is seemingly unstoppable at this time for the Heat, and that is Jimmy Buckets.
Butler has been outstanding throughout the season for the Heat. Despite of all the injury concerns in the team, Butler managed to keep the Heat in contention of making it to the playoffs. However, in doing so he suffered injury and exhaustion concerns during the regular season. However, come the playoffs, he is a different beast altogether.
Jimmy Butler:
This season — This playoffs —
22.9 PPG 31.1 PPG
5.9 RPG 6.6 RPG
5.3 APG 5.6 APG
1.8 SPG 2.2 SPGDifferent. pic.twitter.com/J3PnDjblMV
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 20, 2023
In the regular season, Butler averaged 22.9 points per game. However in the post season he is averaging almost 10 points more, with 31.5 points per game against the top teams. There no player other than Butler who is putting better numbers than him among the 3 other teams. This could very well be the year Butler makes another run at the NBA finals.
How many times has Jimmy Butler made it to the playoffs?
Butler was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2011, and ever since then he has made it the playoffs 12 times. Despite changing teams, Butler has always played a crucial part in helping his team make the playoffs. He has made it to the playoffs 7 consecutive times, and reached the NBA finals once, back in 2020. Butler made it to the Finals 2020 against former Miami Heat player, LeBron James. He mounted a strong challenge, however, the Lakers managed to win in Game 6.
Jimmy Butler’s 2020 NBA Finals
23 PTS, 5 AST, 62% FG
25 PTS, 13 AST, 8 REB
40 PTS, 13 AST, 11 REB, 70% FG
22 PTS, 10 REB, 9 AST
35 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST, 5 STL
12 PTS, 8 AST, 7 REB pic.twitter.com/FBE5iMqrfu— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 9, 2021
Butler has another real shot at getting his hands on his first NBA title of his career. However, it is worth a shot, if he win the Conference Finals, he will face the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Regardless of his chances against them being slim, the Heat have proven what they are capable of playing any team. Nevertheless, it will be another great playoff run from Butler.
